Clothing
+ Fashion
Jewelry +
Watches
Home +
Furniture
 Pottery 
+ Glass
Art +
 Photos 
Paper +
  Books  
Music +
Movies
Toys +
Games
Sports +
Outdoors
Ads +
  Signs  
Eras +
Themes

Vintage Military and War Postcards

During the U.S. Civil War (1861-1865) patriotic stationery—illustrated letterheads and envelopes—was widely used, particularly for letters to and from the battlefront. These envelopes are known to collectors as “patriotic covers.” However, the first picture-backed government-issued postal cards were produced in Austria-Hungary, and the images depicted the Franco-Prussian War. Nearly three million of these cards sold in 1870.

The popularity of postcards began to decline during World War I. At the time, many American companies had designed their own postcards, but they had been shipped to Germany or Austria for high-quality and low-cost printing. Even English publishers, like Raphael Tuck and Sons, had their cards printed in Germany or Austria. Thus the Great War, beginning in 1914, disrupted the production of cards. Plus, the somber mood created by the conflict made postcards seem like disrespectful frivolities. In 1918, the postage rates for postcards doubled, and after the war, telephones became the preferred means for staying in touch...

Even so, U.S. manufacturers began to produce their own cards around 1915. These were much lower in quality, as lush lithography was replaced by half-tone process printing, and they generally had a white border. But the war was a compelling reason to send postcards across the Atlantic in both directions, as soldiers and their loved ones exchanged updates via post. Wartime postcards most often depicted military leaders, officers, and soldiers, as well as explosions and bombed-out buildings.

In Europe, the war was all-consuming, resulting in a plethora of propaganda postcards which solidified the divide between “us” and “them” on both sides. “Positive” proganda cards rallied both the Allies and Central Powers to fight “For King and Country.” On the other hand, “negative” propaganda cards were designed to ridicule and belittle enemies.

Central Powers postcards asserted the superiority of German people and technology and the inferiority of the Allies. In such comic cards, the Allies would be subjected to a demeaning type of punishment reserved for children or dogs. Even the German mythological figure Michel, who represents the laid-back and gentle side of the national character, was depicted as an aggressor. The Allies would often be portrayed as animals that did not deserve human respect.

Some of the most powerful anti-German propaganda postcard sets were produced by Italian postcard artist Tito Corbell, who made an important series of cards telling the story of nurse Edith Cavell, who was killed by German soldiers. Collectors, however, tend to favor Corbell’s more lighthearted work, like his images of glamorous women.

In England, the Bamforth publishing company, known for its mildly risqué “seaside” cards, produced many mocking and emasculating cards against the Germans. British historian G.M. Trevelyan attributes wartime propaganda as a major contributing factor to the harsh 1919 Treaty of Versailles. Insulted Germans became more fervently nationalistic, which led to the emergence of Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party.

The most beautiful cards made during World War I are known as “silks.” French and Belgian refugee women would embroider designs on silk—usually incorporating British, French, and American flags—and ship them to factories to be trimmed and mounted onto postcard backs. These were tremendously popular with American and British soldiers stationed in France; it’s estimated that more than 10 million were produced before they died out in 1923.

Some of these postcards had flaps so that a tiny printed greeting card could be slipped between the silk and backboard. Generally they lack postage stamps because they were sent in Military Mail pouches at no charge to the soldier.

Silks were different from “linens,” a new kind of postcard that emerged post-World War I, made from an uncoated card stock that had a fabric-like texture and tended to feature garish colors. During World War II, as in the first world war, servicemen could send postcards home for free. Postcards became an important and easy means for soldiers to connect with their families, wives, and girlfriends back home, a quick way to let them know, “I’m still alive and thinking about you.”

Naturally, postcards were used for propaganda during World War II. Many of these propaganda postcards were relatively innocuous, sent within the U.S. and to and from soldiers, cheerleading the war effort. Evidence also suggests, though, that “black” propaganda postcards were used by the U.S. as a part of psychological warfare.

The Office of Strategic Services put out postcards that appeared to be German in origin, using real German postcard images and German wording that opposed Hitler and the Nazi Party, intended to suggest there was a strong anti-Fascist underground movement. Documentation indicates these cards were printed at a press taken over by the Morale Operation department of the OSS. As these cards were likely destroyed by the Nazis, they are extremely rare; only a few examples are known to exist today.

But for loved ones back home in America, the most popular kinds of cards to send to the boys overseas are what are known as “arcade postcards” or “girlie cards.” Based on the pin-ups of Gil Elvgren, Earl Moran, George Petty, Alberto Vargas, and others, these images of sexy ladies were meant to cheer up and provide a well-earned diversion to war-weary soldiers.

About our sources | Got something to add?

▼ Expand to read the full article ▼

Show & Tell - Share Your Stuff!

» See all military and war postcards Show & Tells

Interviews & Articles

Show and Tellers Reunite Japanese Family With Their World War II Letter

At their best, Show & Tell posts reveal "the stories behind the stuff." But two Show & Tellers, Savoychina1 and VikingFan8… [more]

American Engraved Powder Horns

The period of the French and Indian War was a map-making era. Since much of the country was not chartered, it is perfectly logical… [more]

An Interview With Metropolitan Museum Curator Jeff Rosenheim On the Postcard Collection Of Walker Evans

In 1994, I had the great pleasure of acquiring the complete archive of Walker Evans for the Metropolitan Museum. The archive is qu… [more]

When Postcards Were the Social Network

I worked for 35 years as a reference librarian with the Madison Public Library and I just got interested in Madison’s history thro… [more]

An Interview With Postcard Collector Andreas Praefcke

Andreas Praefcke (Ravensburg, Germany) collects postcards of old and new theatre buildings worldwide. His complete collection can … [more]

▼ Expand this section

Best of the Web (“Hall of Fame”)

U. Delaware Postcard Collection

U. Delaware Postcard Collection

This collection of over 2000 postcards provides a peek at life in and around Delaware in the early 1900s. Browse g… [read review or visit site]

myArmoury.com

myArmoury.com

This resource for historic arms and armour collectors provides exhaustive information on modern reproductions (cust… [read review or visit site]

Carthalia

Carthalia

Andreas Praefcke's postcard collection of theatres and concert halls worldwide. Showcases 3700 images of over 1810 … [read review or visit site]

The Civil War

The Civil War

Paul McWhorter’s amazing reference site tells the story of the Civil War through high resolution scans of Harpers… [read review or visit site]

Tall Tale Postcards

Tall Tale Postcards

Don't let this one get away from you. This 'unbelievable' collection, from the Wisconsin Historical Society, featur… [read review or visit site]



Clubs & Associations: Postcards

Other Great Reference Sites: Postcards

Top eBay Auctions

Showing 60. See all 307 by  highest bidmost watchedcompleted
A Ship Load Of Ships Dealers Lot Of Over 850 Ship And Boat PostcardsWw1 Woven Silk Flames Postcard - Strasbourg La Cathedrale Ww1 Woven Silk Flames Postcard - Maurupt Marne 1914Ww1 Silk : Royal Munster Fusiliers : Irish Embroidered PostcardG.a.r.~drum Corps~milledgeville, Illinois~civil War Veterans~musicians~fine RppcVintage Antique Postcard Album - 190 Cards, 60 Are Wwi Military Cards Calendar 1944 Postcards WwiiGermany-japan War Fall Of Tsingtao Jiaozhou Bay Kiaochow Map Maurice FarmanWwii Postcards Portugal1920/30s Shanghai Sino - Japanese War Cha-pei District After Battle Pc China China Postcard To Londonderry Ireland 1905 Siberia Navy German Officers HorseWorld War I Rppc Postcard Store Houses Bassens France Motorcycle Trucks Rr TrainBoer War Anti Uk - British Soldier Pleased By Concentration Camp Deaths 1902 UseBoer War Old Boer & British Soldier Dispute Piece Of Orange Free State By SobelId'd Civil War Veteran With Cannon~woodbury, New Jersey Rppc~vintage Real PhotoWw1 Silk Salvation Armyblood & Fire Military Postcard 1920s Tsingtau / Tsingtao Fort W/ Cannons Rppc China Qingdao War Army 1912~civil War Veteran Musicians~michigan Infantry Reunion~old Vintage PostcardOld Soldier Wearing 5 Medals, Crimean War Veteran RpVintage 1913 Rppc Flood Damaged Street Soldiers Grove Wisconsin PostcardVintage 1907 Rppc Main Street Soldiers Grove Wisconsin PostcardWw1 Patriotic Postcard 1914 18 Suffragette Munitions Worker On War Service BadgeG.a.r.~exceptional Rppc~little Girl W Civil War Medals & Flag~vintage Real Photo1930s Real Photo Postcard - Council Offices, Berkhamsted - War Memorial, High St1930s Tientsin Peiping Dance Club / Cabaret W/ French Soldiers Photo Prostitute1913 Peking Silk Store During Chinese Revolution Used Pc China Beijing Army Ww1 Fred Spurgin Postcard 1914 18 Munitions Worker On War Service Badge 1916Embroidered Regimental Silk Ww1 "the Yorkshire Regiment" Badge. 1916 PostedWw1 Postcard Souviner Australia'a Fighting Sons Battalion Photos At DardanellesG.a.r.~49th Nat. Encampment~1911 Souvenir Postcard~civil War Veterans~musiciansSet Of 12 Vintage Us Naval Ships Postcards - N Stebbins, E. Muller, W Ray PhotosCanada - Ww1 - Snookie Bear - 225th Mascot - Vernon Camp - 1916 - Real PhotoCivil War Veteran Musician~j.m. Raymond With Drum, Bugle & Flag~vintage PostcardPostcards WwiiGermany Wwii Deutsches Reich Luftwaffe Ace Fighter Egon Mayer Photo Postcard3 Rppc's From M7 Vintage Postcards Original Photo Wwi & Wwii SoldersWwi Australian Anzac Portrait Holding Bugle - Real Photo Postcard C1915Ww1 West Australian Soldier Studio Photo Rembrandts Studio Market St FremantleFolkestone: Rare Embroidered Greetings Ww1 Silk PostcardRare 1911 Real Photo Postcard Marine Corps Camp Thomas San Diego Marines SailorsConcert Party At War Hospital? 6 Rps Stamford LincsWw1 Donald Mcgill Postcard Jewish Comic Theme 1917 - Two Close Friends Of Mine..Russian Wwi Cossack W/ Saber & Comrade W/ Mosin-nagant Rifle W/ Bayonet PhotoWwii PostcardsWw1 Silk : 16th Battalion, County Of London Regiment: Embroidered PostcardHong Kong 1910's Color Tinted Postcard Sailors & Soldiers Home Building (1)Tx, Amarillo, Texas, Feferman's Army Navy Store, 60s Cars, Dexter PressTurkey / Souvenir De Salonique, Enver Pacha ? Artillerie Ottoman, MilitaryCivil War Drummer Boy Age 14~then & Now (1915)~veteran Musician~vintage PostcardGood French Silk Woven Ww1 Postcard Of Elizabeth Queen Of The Belgians Deffrene?Good French Silk Woven Ww1 Postcard Of Albert 1 King Of The Belgians Deffrene?China,military,xinhai Revolution,nanjin,nanking,imperial Troops Fleeing,1911 !Panama Canal Zone Troop Maneuvers Barge Locks 33rd Infantry 5 RppcPostcards Post Card Lot 150+ Early 1900's Landscape People Military Ships TrainsGermany Wwii Deutsches Reich Propaganda Photo Postcard The Desert FoxFrank Smart,indian Roper,war Bonnet Round-up,idaho Falls,id, Burrel-russell Rppc3 Artist Signed Postcards/a.bertiglia/children/war In Africa/postally Cancelled75mm Field Gun: Patriotic Embroidered Ww1 Silk PostcardWw1 G.a.s. Postcard 1914 18 Anti Kaiser Waiter - John Bull - La Liberte Theme
»» Get our weekly War Postcards email



Right now on eBay